Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER)
Updated
Sources Sought from the Department of the Navy, for work in Washington, District of Columbia. Due Nov 9, 2026, 4:00 PM (UTC-5), 16 days left.
| Solicitation number | N00173-27-RFI-EN01 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy |
| Office | Naval Research Laboratory |
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715) |
| Product or service code | AR13 |
| Place of performance | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Posted | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 9, 2026, 4:00 PM (UTC-5) (16 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
1. Purpose / Objective The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Space Systems Development Division (SSDD), seeks information from industry regarding capabilities to perform research, development, prototyping, test, and integration in support of the Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER) effort. Objective: This is a follow-on to the Target Accuracy Precision Emitters (TAPE) program under Contract No. N00173-23-D-6000.
The Government intends to advance high-precision timing and frequency technologies to achieve femtosecond-level accuracy using large apertures, complex clock ensembles, and associated RF/IR systems in support of Navy and Department of War (DoW) mission requirements. A draft Statement of Work (Attachment 1), Personnel Qualifications (Attachment 2), and Contract Data Requirements List (Attachment 3) are provided for review when preparing responses.
2. Place of Performance Performance may occur at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) facilities, Government field sites, Contractor facilities, or other locations within the Continental United States (CONUS) or outside the Continental United States (OCONUS), as required to meet contract requirements. The Contractor shall coordinate access to Government facilities, field sites, and Government-furnished equipment with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
Performance at any location not otherwise identified in the contract, including additional CONUS or OCONUS locations, requires prior approval by the Contracting Officer. 3. Information Requested Interested parties that have the capability to perform these services are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement (not to exceed 10 pages, excluding cover page) that includes the following: Business name and address; Name, title, telephone number, and email address of the primary company representative / Point of Contact; Business size status (Large or Small) and type of Small Business (if applicable); CAGE Code and Unique Entity ID (UEI); A narrative demonstrating the ability to perform the required services, including relevant past performance.
4. Submission Information • Submit responses electronically in PDF format to both of the following: Richard Waterstreet, Contracting Officer – [email protected] Erica Turner, Contract Specialist – [email protected] • Email subject line: “RFI Response – TETHER – N00173-27-RFI-EN01 • Responses are due no later than 9 Nov 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. • Late responses may not be considered.
5. Points of Contact Contracting Officer: Richard Waterstreet – [email protected] Contract Specialist: Erica Turner – [email protected] 6. Attachments
- Draft Statement of Work (SOW) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026
- Draft Personnel Qualifications (PQs) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026
- Draft Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026 7.
Disclaimer This RFI is issued for informational and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR 15.201. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB). Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.
The Government will not pay for information received in response to this RFI and is under no obligation to issue a future solicitation as a result of this notice. The Government reserves the right to use information provided in response to this RFI for any purpose deemed necessary. The intent of this RFI is to gauge industry interest, small business interest, capabilities, and relevant experience.
A small business set-aside decision may be made as a result of the responses received.
Contracting contact
- Erica N Turner · [email protected] · (202) 923-1399
- Richard Waterstreet · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541715, a business counts as small if it has no more than 11 employees (SBA size standard, with exceptions in the notes). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Companies that win this kind of work
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About the buyer
The Department of the Navy awarded $129.6 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Electric Boat Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation and RTX Corporation. See what Navy is buying now.
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There are 258 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541715), 40 posted in the last 7 days; 32% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia. A notice in this trade gives a median of 77 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 17 days.
All open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
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